Solid dosage form composition for buccal or sublingual administration of cannabinoids

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to solid dosage forms of cannabinoid pharmaceutical formulations comprising a solvated cannabinoid for buccal or sublingual administration, and methods of making and using the same.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/999,239 filed on Jul. 21, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/999,300 filed on Jul. 22, 2014, which are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference into the present application.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of cannabinoids and their useas supplements and therapeutics formulations. More specifically thisinvention relates to sublingual or buccal solid dosage forms ofcannabinoids.

BACKGROUND

Cannabinoids are a group of chemicals found in Cannabis sativa, Cannabisindica, and related plant species. They are known to activatecannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) in, e.g., mammalian brain cells.These chemicals are also produced endogenously in humans and otheranimals. Cannabinoids are cyclic molecules exhibiting particularproperties such as being lipophilic, have the ability to easily crossthe blood-brain barrier, and having low toxicity. As such, cannabinoidshave been used to treat medical illnesses such as AIDS and cancer whichare often accompanied with a lack of appetite. Moreover, patientsreceiving cancer chemotherapy often experience nausea and vomiting sideeffects for which cannabinoids can be helpful (see, e.g., WO 03/063847).Chronic pain (e.g., neuropathic pain), malignant tumors, spasticity (inmultiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury), and dystonia are additionaltherapeutic targets for cannabinoid therapy. In addition, onecannabinoid, cannabidiol, has been studied as an antiepileptic (Carliniet al. (1981) J. Clin. Pharmacol. 21:417S-427S; Karler et al. (1981) J.Clin. Pharmacol. 21:437S-448S; Consroe et al. (1981) J. Clin. Pharmacol.21:428S-436S), and also has been found to lower intraocular pressure(Colasanti et al. (1984) Exp. Eye Res. 39:251-259; Colasanti et al.(1984) Gen. Pharmacol. 15:479-484). Cannabinoids have been shown to havean anti-proliferative effect on cancers (see, e.g., US 20130059018 A andWO 2008/144475).

There are currently several methods of cannabinoid delivery. Lungdelivery is most commonly achieved by smoking Cannabis. However, thereare health concerns for this mode of administration. Cannabis smokecarries even more tars and other particulate matter than tobacco, so itmay cause a loss of lung function or cancer. Furthermore, many patientsfind the act of smoking unappealing, as well as being generallyunhealthy. For these reasons, smoking Cannabis is not acceptable as amedical means of administration.

Attempts have been made to overcome some of the problems associated withsmoking both Cannabis and tobacco by providing various smokelessinhalable aerosol formulations for lung delivery. An inhalable aerosolof delta-9-tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) was developed as long ago as 1975as a bronchodilator. These formulations were found to be of varyingeffectiveness in delivering the active agent to the lungs and compliancewas an issue even with proper training on the use of inhalation devices.

Attempts have also been made at administering the cannabinoid delta9-THC orally in the form of a liquid filled soft gelatin capsule,Miranol®. However, severely nauseated patients are often not able toretain the capsules in their stomachs long enough for the drug to takeeffect. This problem is compounded by the fact that four to six capsulesmay be required and this just before taken chemotherapy. It has alsobeen found that cannabinoids have poor oral bioavailability, and thusorally administered THC is erratically and slowly absorbed into thebloodstream, making the dose and timing of action difficult to control.Indeed, the oral bioavailability of Miranol® is very poor, ranging from5-20% due to cannabinoids being broken down by the liver resulting inhigh first-pass metabolism. Therefore, the oral administration ofcannabinoids requires larger doses for which the absorption is erraticand uncontrolled for both dose and onset of drug action.

In order to overcome the limitations associated with inhaled and oralcannabinoid delivery, other cannabinoid delivery systems have beendeveloped, e.g., aerosol and pump spray delivery systems for the oralmucosa. These systems (e.g. Sativex®) also show a high degree ofvariability in pharmacokinetic parameters such as dose delivered, timeto maximum drug plasma levels and maximum plasma levels.

Attempts have also been made to improve oral delivery of cannabinoids byuse of organic acids, essential oils and lecithin and other excipientand through complexation with cyclodextrin. Transdermal preparationshave also been attempted.

Thus, the commercially available cannabinoid delivery systems haveerratic absorption and poor bioavailability. Therefore, there is realunmet medical need for improved modes of cannabinoid delivery.

A common problem associated with transmucosal administration via thebuccal route, is swallowing the dose due to the continuous secretion ofsaliva in the oral cavity. This contributes to observed pharmacokineticsvariability of oral cannabinoid sprays and aerosols. For optimal drugdelivery the buccal and sublingual dosage forms must remain in contactwith oral mucosa for a time sufficient to allow for the absorption of apharmaceutically active agent. More specifically, the dosage form mustnot be washed away by saliva into the gastrointestinal tract. However,the rate of disintegration or dissolution of the dosage form must not beso slow as to cause discomfort or inconvenience for the patient.Additionally, suitable buccal and sublingual dosage forms should besmall in size and designed so that the shape avoids discomfort to thepatient during use. Most importantly the formulation must be designed sothat the cannabinoid is in a solution which optimizes its transmucosalpermeation.

The sublingual/buccal composition described herein is a convenient,safe, fast acting, solid oral dosage form which provides accurate andtimely cannabinoid delivery with increased oral bioavailability as itavoids swallowing the dosage and subsequent high first-pass metabolismassociated with gastrointestinal absorption of cannabinoids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been discovered that a solid dosage form for thesublingual/buccal administration of solvated cannabinoids is able toachieve satisfactory or therapeutic plasma levels in a mammaliansubject, with fast onset of drug action and improved oralbioavailability compared to the currently marketed cannabinoid products.

This discovery has been exploited to develop the present invention,which, in one aspect, provides a composition comprising a pharmaceuticalcomposition in a solid dosage form for sublingual or buccaladministration, comprising: a cannabinoid; a pharmaceutically-acceptablesolvent into which the cannabinoid is solvated; and apharmaceutically-acceptable adsorbent onto which the solvatedcannabinoid is adsorbed.

In some embodiments, the solvent comprises a polyethylene glycols (PEG)propylene glycol, a substituted polyethylene glycol, propylenecarbonate, ethanol, ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, triacetin,triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate, substituted polyethylene glycols,bisabolol, glycerin, mineral oil, ethyl oleate, oleic acid, fatty acidesters, lactic acid, dipropylene glycol, hexylene glycol, propylenecarbonate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl alcohol, perillyl alcohol, dibutylsebacate, phenyethyl alcohol, n-methyl pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide,2-pyrrolidone, squalane, an animal oil, a vegetable oil, dimethylisosorbide, hydrogenated vegetable oils, isopropyl myristate, limonene,isopropyl palmitate, glycofurol, a terpene, an essential oil, analcohol, a diol, a polyol, a silicone fluid, or combinations thereof. Incertain embodiments, the solvent comprises polyethylene glycol, ethanol,substituted polyethylene glycols, propylene glycol, propylene carbonate,or a mixture thereof. In other embodiments, the solvent comprisesethanol.

In some embodiments, the adsorbent comprises silica, microcrystallinecellulose, cellulose, silicified microcrystalline cellulose, clay, talc,starch, pregelatinized starch, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate,magnesium carbonate, and mixtures thereof. In particular embodiments,the adsorbent comprises silica. In certain embodiments, the adsorbentcomprises silicon dioxide, amorphous silica, hydrated silicon dioxide,fumed silica, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium aluminum silicate,magnesium silicate, calcium silicate, or a mixture thereof. In specificembodiments, the adsorbent comprises ZEOPHARM 5170, AEROSIL 200, CABOSILMPS, AEROPERL 300, SYLOID 244FP, SYLOID 63FP, SYLOID 72 FP, SIPERNAT160PQ, SIPERNAT 50, SIPERNAT 50S, SYLOID 3050, SYLOID 3150, SIPERNAT500LS, SIPERNAT 2200, SIDENT 8, SIDENT 9, SIDENT 10, SIDENT 22S. In someembodiments, the cannabinoid comprises cannabidiol (CDB),11-hydroxy-delta-8-tetrahydro-cannabinol, and11-hydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Other cannabinoidsinclude dimethyl heptylpentyl cannabidiol (DMHP-CBD),6,12-dihydro-6-hydroxy-cannabidiol (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,537);(3S,4R)-7-hydroxy-Δ6-tetrahydrocannabinol homologs and derivatives(described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,276);(+)-4-[4-DMH-2,6-diacetoxy-phenyl]-2-carboxy-6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-en,and other 4-phenylpinene derivatives (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.5,434,295), and cannabidiol (−)(CBD) analogs such as(−)CBD-monomethylether, (−)CBD dimethyl ether; (−)CBD diacetate;(−)3′-acetyl-CBD monoacetate; and ±AF11 (see, e.g., Consroe et al.(1981) J. Clin. Pharmacol. 21:428S-436S), cannaichromene (CBC),cannabichromenic acid (CBCV), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidivarin(CBDV), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerol variant (CBGV), cannabicyclol(CBL), cannabicyclol (CBN), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV),tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA), cannabitriol (CBO), cannabinolpropyl variant (CBNV), and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). Incertain embodiments, the cannabinoid comprisesdelta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In some embodiments, the THC ispresent at from about 0.5 mg to about 50 mg or from about 10 mg to about30 mg. In other embodiments, the cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD). Insome embodiments, the CBD is present at from about 0.5 mg to about 50 mgor from about 10 mg to about 30 mg.

In some embodiments, the concentration of the solvent is from about 0.5%to about 95.0%, from about 1% to about 80%, from about 5% to about 7%,or from about 15% to about 35% weight/weight solvent to cannabinoids. Incertain embodiments, the weight/weight ratio of silica:cannabinoidsolution is from about 1:0.5 to about 1:5.

The compositions according to the disclosure may further comprise awater-soluble diluent, a disintegrant, a lubricant, or mixtures thereof.In some embodiments, the diluent comprises mannitol. In certainembodiments, the disintegrant comprises low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose. In particular embodiments, the lubricant comprises sodiumstearyl fumarate.

In some embodiments, the composition is in the form of a tablet or film.

Also provided in another aspect is a method for preparing apharmaceutical composition comprising a solvated cannabinoid in a soliddosage form for sublingual or buccal administration having increasedoral bioavailability and shortened onset of action of the cannabinoid.The method comprises: solvating the cannabinoid in a pharmaceuticallyacceptable solvent to form a solvated cannabinoid; mixing the solvatedcannabinoid with an adsorbent, onto which the solvated cannabinoid isadsorbed; and processing the solvated cannabinoid/adsorbent into a soliddosage form.

In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is THC or CBD. In certainembodiments, the adsorbent comprises silica. In particular embodiments,the solvent comprises ethanol.

In particular embodiments, the method further comprising adding anexcipient to the solvated cannabinoid/adsorbent. In specificembodiments, the excipient added is a lubricant, a water-solublediluent, a disintegrant, or a mixture thereof. In some embodiments, thelubricant comprises sodium stearyl fumarate. In certain embodiments, thediluent comprises mannitol. In particular embodiments, the disintegrantcomprises low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises processing thesolvated cannabinoid/adsorbent composition into a tablet.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a pill pack comprising thecannabinoid composition of claim 1 encased within a packaging enclosure.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of treating adisease in a subject in need thereof, for which a cannabinoid is aneffective therapeutic, comprising: buccally or sublinguallyadministering the cannabinoid composition of claim 1 to the subject byplacing the composition in an oral cavity of the subject, whereby atherapeutically effective amount of the cannabinoid is administered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects of the present disclosure, the variousfeatures thereof, as well as the invention itself may be more fullyunderstood from the following description, when read together with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing steps comprising the manufacture of anexemplary composition according to the disclosure in the form of asublingual tablet containing THC as described in Example 1; and

FIG. 2 is a photographic representation of the TLC plate showing the redTHC spots obtained from the dissolution of tablet from Example #1 at 60seconds, 120 seconds, and 300 seconds.

DESCRIPTION

The issued U.S. patents, allowed applications, published foreignapplications, and references that are cited herein are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as ifeach was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated byreference. Patent and scientific literature referred to hereinestablishes knowledge that is available to those of skill in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this disclosure belongs.

The present disclosure provides a cannabinoid composition comprising asolid dosage form for sublingual and buccal administration. Thecomposition comprises a cannabinoid, a solvent or mixture of solventsinto which the cannabinoid is solvated, and an adsorbent onto which thesolvated cannabinoid is adsorbed. It has been discovered that thecombination of the solvated cannabinoid mixed with the adsorbent whichwhen formulated into a solid dosage form for sublingual/buccaladministration unexpectedly improves oral bioavailability with fastonset of cannabinoid action compared to other prior art forms for oraldelivery of cannabinoids. This composition prepared in accordance withthe method of the disclosure thereby unexpectedly provides an unmetmedical need for a convenient, safe, fast acting, solid oral dosage formwhich provides accurate and timely cannabinoid delivery with increasedoral bioavailability as it avoids swallowing the dosage and subsequenthigh first-pass metabolism associated with gastrointestinal absorptionof cannabinoids.

For purposes of the present invention, the term “cannabinoid” includesany member of naturally occurring and synthetic cannabinoids and relatedcompounds, and extracts from any Cannabis species and varieties. Thecannabinoids may be natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic. They may beincluded in its free form, or in the form of a salt; an acid additionsalt of an ester; an amide; an enantiomer; an isomer; a tautomer; aprodrug; different isomeric forms (for example, enantiomers anddiastereoisomers), both in pure form and in admixture, including racemicmixtures. Cannabinoids include compounds (such as THC) that have highaffinity for the cannabinoid receptor (for example Ki<250 nM), andcompounds that do not have significant affinity for the cannabinoidreceptor (such as cannabidiol (CBD)). Cannabinoids also includecompounds that have a characteristic dibenzopyran ring structure (of thetype seen in THC) and cannabinoids which do not possess a pyran ring(such as cannabidiol). The term “cannabinoid” is also meant to encompassderivatives that are produced from another compound of similar structureby the replacement of, e.g., substitution of one atom, molecule or groupby another, e.g., cannabidiol (CDB),11-hydroxy-delta-8-tetrahydro-cannabinol, and11-hydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Other cannabinoidsinclude dimethyl heptylpentyl cannabidiol (DMHP-CBD),6,12-dihydro-6-hydroxy-cannabidiol (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,537);(3S,4R)-7-hydroxy-Δ6-tetrahydrocannabinol homologs and derivatives(described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,276);(+)-4-[4-DMH-2,6-diacetoxy-phenyl]-2-carboxy-6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-en,and other 4-phenylpinene derivatives (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.5,434,295), and cannabidiol (−)(CBD) analogs such as(−)CBD-monomethylether, (−)CBD dimethyl ether; (−)CBD diacetate;(−)3′-acetyl-CBD monoacetate; and ±AF11 (see, e.g., Consroe et al.(1981) J. Clin. Pharmacol. 21:428S-436S), cannaichromene (CBC),cannabichromenic acid (CBCV), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidivarin(CBDV), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerol variant (CBGV), cannabicyclol(CBL), cannabicyclol (CBN), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV),tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA), cannabitriol (CBO), cannabinolpropyl variant (CBNV), and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). Manyother useful cannabinoids are disclosed in Agurell et al. (1986)Pharmacol. Rev. 38:31-43. The term cannabinoid also includes prodrugs ofcannabinoids, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts and complexesof cannabinoids. Ranges useful in the composition according to thedisclosure for THC and CBD are about 0.5 mg to about 50 mg, about 1 mgto about 40 mg, about 2 mg to about 30 mg, about 5 mg to about 25 mg, orabout 10 mg to about 30 mg.

The cannabinoid is mixed with a solvent into which it solvates ordissolves. As used herein “to solvate” or “solvation” refers to theprocess of attraction and association of molecules of a solvent withmolecules or ions of a solute, here, a cannabinoid. Solvation is theprocess of surrounding the solute, or cannabinoid, with solvent. Itinvolves evening out a concentration gradient and evenly distributingthe solute within the solvent. The solvent may be a pharmaceuticallyacceptable solvent. Non-limiting examples of useful solvents are e.g.,polyethylene glycols (PEG), propylene glycol, substituted polyethyleneglycols, propylene carbonate, ethanol, ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol,triacetin, triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate, substituted polyethyleneglycols, bisabolol, glycerin, mineral oil, ethyl oleate, oleic acid,fatty acid esters, lactic acid, dipropylene glycol, hexylene glycol,propylene carbonate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl alcohol, perillyl alcohol,dibutyl sebacate, phenyethyl alcohol, n-methyl pyrrolidone, dimethylsulfoxide, 2-pyrrolidone, squalane, animal oils, vegetable oils,dimethyl isosorbide, hydrogenated vegetable oils, isopropyl myristate,limonene, isopropyl palmitate, glycofurol, terpenes, essential oils,alcohols, diols such as ethanol, polyols, silicone fluids, andcombination thereof. One exemplary solvent is the alcohol ethanol.Non-limiting ranges of solvent(s) is from about 0.5% to about 95.0%,about 1% to about 80%, about 5% to about 70%, or about 15% to about 35%weight/weight solvent to cannabinoid.

The solvated cannabinoid is then added to an adsorbent. This processcreates a film of the solvated cannabinoid (the “adsorbate”) on thesurface of the adsorbent. This adsorbent may be a pharmaceuticallyacceptable adsorbent.

One non-limiting adsorbent is silica. The term “silica” encompassesmaterials that contain silicon dioxide including, but not limited to,amorphous silica, hydrated silicon dioxide, fumed silica, silica gel,colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium aluminum silicate, magnesiumsilicate, calcium silicate, and/or mixtures thereof. Useful,non-limiting adsorbents include silica, microcrystalline cellulose,cellulose, silicified microcrystalline cellulose, clay, talc, starch,pregelatinized starch, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, magnesiumcarbonate, and mixtures thereof.

Specific useful silicas include, but are not limited to, e.g. ZEOPHARM5170, AEROSIL 200, CABOSIL MPS, AEROPERL 300, SYLOID 244FP, SYLOID 63FP,SYLOID 72 FP, SIPERNAT 160PQ, SIPERNAT 50, SIPERNAT 50S, SYLOID 3050,SYLOID 3150, SIPERNAT 500LS, SIPERNAT 2200, SIDENT 8, SIDENT 9, SIDENT10, SIDENT 22S. The useful silica to cannabinoid solvate ratio ranges inthe composition according to the disclosure for THC and CBD are about1.0:0.5 to about 1.0:5.0, about 1.0:2.0 to about 1.0:3.0, or about1.0:1:0 to about 1.0:1.5.

Excipients can be added to the solvated cannabinoid/adsorbent to aid inthe performance or processing of the solid dosage form composition.These can include pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble diluents,disintegrants, lubricants, glidants, co-solvents, or combinationsthereof.

Useful water-soluble diluents may be pharmaceutically acceptable. Usefuldiluents include, but are not limited to, sugars, polyols, saccharides,polysaccharides, dextrate, dextrins, dextrose, fructose (ADVANTOSE FS95), lactitol (FINLAC DC), lactose, erythritol, maltose, isomalts,maltitol, a maltodextrin, a polydextrose, trehalose, mannitol (PEARLITOL300 DC, PEARLITOL 400 DC, PEARLITOL 500 DC, MANNOGEM 2080, MANNOGEM EZ,PARTEKM100, PARTECK M200, PARTECK M300), a polyethylene glycol, sorbitol(PARTECK S1 150, PARTECK S1 400, PARTECK S1 450), sucrose, xylitol andmixtures thereof. One exemplary diluent is mannitol. Non-limiting rangesare from about 5% to about 95%, about 45% to about 90%, or about 55% toabout 85% weight/weight per dosage unit.

Another useful non-limiting excipient is a disintegrant which may bepharmaceutically acceptable. Useful disintegrants include, but are notlimited to, sodium starch glycolate, crospovidone, croscarmellosesodium, low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, starch, pregelatinizedstarch, microcrystalline cellulose, and mixtures thereof. One exemplarydisintegrant is low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose. The usefulnon-limiting content of the disintegrant in the composition may be fromabout 0.5% to about 25%, from about 1% to about 20%, from about 2% toabout 15%, or from about 3% to about 9% weight/weight per dosage unit.

Yet another useful non-limiting excipient is a lubricant, which may bepharmaceutically acceptable. Useful lubricants include, but are notlimited to, sodium stearyl fumarate, magnesium stearate, stearic acid,sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, polyethylene glycol, calcium stearate,/ormixtures thereof. One exemplary lubricant is sodium stearyl fumarate.The non-limiting content of the lubricant in the composition may be fromabout 0.1% to about 5.0%, from about 0.5% to about 3.0%, or from about1% to about 2% weight/weight per dosage unit.

The formulation may contain solvents such as, but not limited toethanol, propylene glycol, polyol, alcohol, polyethylene glycol,substituted polyethylene glycols, propylene carbonate, or a mixturethereof. The useful non-limiting content of the solvent ethanol, for thecomposition according to the disclosure for THC and CBD are about 0.5%to about 95.0%, from about 1% to about 80%, from about 5% to about 70%,or from about 15% to about 35% weight/weight solvent to THC/CBD.

Other useful excipients that can comprise the composition include, butare not limited to, a colorant, a flavoring, a coating agent, a binder,a diluent, a glidant, a film-forming polymer, an opacifying agent, ahumectant, a granulating agent, a gelling agent, a polishing agent, asuspending agent, a sweetening agent, an anti-adherent, a preservative,an antioxidant, a chelating agent, a plasticizer, a tonicity agent, aviscosity agent, a controlled-release agent, a wax, a wetting agent, athickening agent, a stiffing agent, a stabilizing agent, a sequesteringagent, a mucoadhesive, a sialagogic agent, an essential oil, anemollient, a dissolution enhancer, a dispersing agent, a buffering agent(e.g., phosphate, carbonate, tartrate, borate, citrate, acetate, andmalate buffers) and combinations thereof.

The method of manufacture for a solid dosage form for sublingual orbuccal administration according to the present disclosure may employ anysuitable method known in the art including, but not limited to, directlycompressing the solvated cannabinoid/adsorbent into a tablet form. Othermethods to process the solvated cannabinoid/adsorbent include, but arenot limited to, added to premanufactured tablets, cold compressions withinert fillers and binders, direct powder blends, wet or drygranulations, film casting, molding, layer tablets, lyophilization,microencapsulation, freeze drying, spray-congealing, spray-drying,co-melt, spheronization, triturates, troching, powder layering,pelleting, encapsulation, pilling, and combinations thereof.

For example, the solid dosage form may be a tablet containing from about0.1 mg to about 150 mg, from about 0.5 mg to about 50 mg, from about 1mg to about 40 mg, from about 2 mg to about 30 mg, from about 5 mg toabout 25 mg, or from about 10 mg to about 20 mg of a cannabinoid. Thesolvent is present in an amount ranging from 0.5% to about 95.0%, fromabout 1% to about 80%, from about 5% to about 70%, or from about 15% toabout 35% weight/weight solvent to cannabinoid. The adsorbent silica canbe present in a silica with a silica to cannabinoid solvate ratioranging from about 1.0:0.5 to about 1.0:5.0, from about 1.0:2.0 to aboutfrom 1.0:3.0, or from about 1.0:1:0 to about 1.0:1.5. The level ofcannabinoid solvate:silica adsorbent in the solid dosage form rangesfrom about 0.5% to 40%, from about 1% to about 35%, from about 5% toabout 30%, or from about 10% to about 20% weight/weight to the dosageform. A water-soluble diluent, but not limited to, mannitol, can bepresent in an amount ranging from about 5% to about 95%, about 45% toabout 90%, or from about 55% to 85% weight/weight per dosage unit. It isunderstood by the skilled artisan, that use of the term “about” includesthe range as stated, are within what is normally acceptable in thepharmaceutical industry. The US Pharmacopeia allows a plus and minusrange of 10% in the assay for the active ingredient in most solid dosageforms.

One non-limiting example of the preparation of a solid tablet form ofthe composition according to the disclosure is shown in FIG. 1. THC issolvated in ethanol, and then adsorbed to silica to form aTHC/silica/adsorbent. Other excipients are then added to theTHC/silica/adsorbent, which is then compressed into sublingual/buccaltablets. In one embodiment, the excipients added is mannitol,low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, and/or sodium stearyl fumarate,to form a final blend composition. The final blend is compressed into 85mg tablets using 0.25 inch round tooling to prepare a 5 mg strength THCsublingual tablet.

The sublingual/buccal tablets may be packaged in such a manner as to aidin maintaining stability. Packaging methods and materials may include,but are not limited to, blister packaging in a foil/foil,foil/Acrylonitrile, foil/polychlorotrifluoroethylene laminates, orplaced into glass and plastic bottles.

The composition according to the disclosure can be used or administeredby placing it under the tongue, or in the buccal cavity, and leaving itundisturbed until it disintegrates, which typically occurs within 15minutes, more or less. The amount of cannabinoid to be administered andhow often is determined by the condition being treated.

For example, the composition according to the disclosure can be used inthe treatment of any disorder for which a cannabinoid has therapeuticproperties. Non-limiting examples of such disorders include AIDS,cancer, and malignant tumors, which are often accompanied with a lack ofappetite, nausea, and vomiting, chronic pain (especially neuropathicpain), spasticity (e.g., in multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury),dystonia, intractable pediatric epilepsy. Other disorders treatable withthe formulation according to the present disclosure includeoxidation-associated disease such as myocardial infarction, stroke(motor or sensory abnormalities), and cerebral infarct, or aneurovascular thromboembolic event. The composition may be administeredin combination with other therapeutic drugs. The amount and manner oftreatment comprising administration of the cannabinoid compositionaccording to the disclosure is determined by a medical professional.

The composition may also be prepared for recreational use or use as asupplement.

The critical sublingual/buccal tablet attributes which reflect theproduct's in vivo performance characteristics are disintegration anddissolution. Useful, non-limiting methods used to determinedisintegration, dissolution, pharmacodynamic and the pharmacokineticattribute of the sublingual/buccal tablet are described below in theExamples.

While rapid tablet disintegration is prerequisite for rapid drug releasefrom a tablet, drug dissolution from the dosage form actually measureswhether the drug is available for absorption through the oral mucosa. Auseful method for measuring rapidly disintegrating sublingual tablets invitro was developed by Rachid et al. (AAPS Pharm. SciTech (2011)12(2):544-52). (See Example 4 below.) An alternative method to evaluatedissolution of sublingual tablets is the USP Dissolution Method <711>.Short drug dissolution times can be evaluated using this method in smallvolumes, i.e., 2 ml, which is comparable to the amount of saliva in theoral cavity rather than the 900 ml used for oral tablets dissolution inUSP <711>.

Reference will now be made to specific examples illustrating thedisclosure. It is to be understood that the examples are provided toillustrate exemplary embodiments and that no limitation to the scope ofthe disclosure is intended thereby.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Sublingual/Buccal Tablet Formulation

A 5 mg strength THC sublingual/buccal tablet having a total tabletweight of about 85 mg is comprised of a THC, ethanol, silica, mannitol,low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, and sodium stearyl fumarate. Anexemplary formulation manufactured for this embodiment and in accordancewith the subject invention is provided in Table 1, below. This tabletformulation was used for disintegration, dissolution and pharmacodynamictesting conducted herein.

TABLE 1 AMOUNT INGREDIENT (mg/tablet) THC 5.00 Ethanol 2.50 Silica 5.00Mannitol 58.30 Low-substituted 12.50 hydroxypropyl cellulose SodiumStearyl Fumarate 1.70 Total Tablet Weight 85.00

The tablet is prepared by solvating THC with ethanol to make a solutionwith or without a co-solvent. The drug solution is then adsorbed tosilica. The solvated THC/silica mixture is blended using a tumbleblender with mannitol as the water-soluble diluent, low-substitutedhydroxypropyl cellulose as a disintegrant, and sodium stearyl fumarateas a lubricant and this blend is directly compressed on a tablet pressusing 0.2500 inch, round, standard concave tooling into a tablet forsublingual/buccal administration.

Example 2 Cannabidiol Tablet Formulation

A 10 mg strength CNB sublingual/buccal tablet having a total tabletweight of about 144 mg, is prepared. This tablet comprises of ethanol,silica, mannitol, low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, and sodiumstearyl fumarate, in amounts shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 AMOUNT INGREDIENT (mg/tablet) Cannabidiol 10.00 Ethanol 2.60Silica 8.40 Mannitol 98.88 Lo-substituted 21.12 hydroxypropyl celluloseSodium Stearyl Fumarate 3.00 Total Tablet Weight 144.00

The tablet is prepared by solvating CNB into ethanol by mixing at roomtemperature. The drug solution is then adsorbed to silica. The solvatedCBD/silica mixture is then blended using a tumble blender with mannitolas the water-soluble diluent, low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose asa disintegrant, and sodium stearyl fumarate as a lubricant in a tumbleblender. This blend is directly compressed into a tablet on a tabletpress using 0.2812 inch, round, standard concave tooling.

Example 3 Disintegration Testing

The THC composition according to Example 1 was tested for disintegrationusing the USP Disintegration Method <701>. The standard apparatus andbasket assembly without the use of disc was used for measuring thedisintegration of sublingual tablets.

The USP monographed acceptance criteria for Sublingual NitroglycerinTablet all six tablets have to disintegrated within 2 min. The resultsfor THC sublingual tablets according to Example 1 meets the USPacceptance criteria for Sublingual Nitroglycerin Tablets being less than2 min with all six tablets disintegrated rapidly between 21 sec and 41sec.

Example 4 Dissolution Testing

The dissolution of the THC sublingual tablets according to Example 1were evaluated using the Rachid method at 60 sec, 120 sec, and 300 secusing 2 ml of 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 6.8, with 2% Tween 20 as thedissolution media. THC concentrations in the dissolution media wereassayed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) (Cannalytics Supply, Denver,Colo.). The dissolution time points were assayed for THC by extracting 1ml of dissolution media from each time point with 1 ml of thechlorinated hydrocarbon solvent provided in the kit for eluting the TLCplate. A total of 20 μl sample from the chlorinated hydrocarbon extractwas deposited on the TLC plate for each time point. The TLC plate wasdeveloped and stained to determine the amount of THC at each time point.A photograph of the developed TLC plate is shown in FIG. 2.

The developed TLC plate shows that the size of the red spots at 120 secand 300 sec are comparable. At the 60 sec time point they appear similarin size or slightly smaller. This demonstrates that the critical tabletattribute of THC dissolution is rapid, occurring within 2 min, andtherefore available for absorption through the oral mucosa.

Example 5 Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Testing

To determine the pharmacodynamics effects of the 5 mg sublingual THCtablet volunteers, who were familiar with the effects of Cannabis,placed the THC sublingual tablet, as embodied herein in Example 1, underthe tongue and left it undisturbed. Shortly thereafter, i.e., withinabout 5 minutes, the pharmacological effects of THC were apparent to allvolunteers. This included mild euphoria, elation, merriment andheightened sensory awareness. The symptoms peaked in about 30 minutesand continued for several hours thereafter.

Another useful measure of product's in vivo performance would be tomeasure drug plasma levels in open-label study in volunteers in whichblood samples of 5 ml are drawn at times 0 (predose), 4 min, 8 min, 10min, 12 min, 16 min, 30 min, 45 min, 60 min, 90 min, 120 min and 180 minafter administration of the cannabinoid composition according to thedisclosure. Harvested plasma is kept at −20° C. until analysis by gaschromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MSMS) or liquidchromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS). The pharmacokineticoutcomes measured are: time to maximum plasma concentration (T_(max));maximum plasma concentration (C_(max)); and the area under the plasmacurve (AUC).

EQUIVALENTS

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain, usingno more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to thespecific composition and procedures described herein. Such equivalentsare considered to be within the scope of this disclosure, and arecovered by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pharmaceutical composition in a solid dosageform for sublingual or buccal administration, comprising: a cannabinoid;a pharmaceutically-acceptable solvent into which the cannabinoid issolvated; and a pharmaceutically-acceptable adsorbent onto which thesolvated cannabinoid is adsorbed.
 2. The composition of claim 1, whereinthe solvent comprises polyethylene glycol, ethanol, substitutedpolyethylene glycols, propylene glycol, propylene carbonate, or amixture thereof.
 3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the solventcomprises ethanol.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the adsorbentcomprises silica, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose, silicifiedmicrocrystalline cellulose, clay, talc, starch, pregelatinized starch,calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium carbonate, andmixtures thereof.
 5. The composition of claim 4, wherein thepharmaceutically acceptable adsorbent comprises silica.
 6. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 5, wherein the silica is silicondioxide, amorphous silica, hydrated silicon dioxide, fumed silica,colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium aluminum silicate, magnesiumsilicate, calcium silicate, or a mixture thereof.
 7. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein the cannabinoid comprises delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol(THC).
 8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the THC is present at fromabout 0.5 mg to about 50 mg.
 9. The composition of claim 7, wherein theTHC is present at from about 10 mg to about 30 mg.
 10. The compositionof claim 1, wherein the cannabinoid comprises cannabidiol (CBD).
 11. Thecomposition of claim 10, wherein the CBD is present at from about 0.5 mgto about 50 mg.
 12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the CBD ispresent at from about 10 mg to about 30 mg.
 13. The composition of claim4, wherein the weight/weight ratio of silica:cannabinoid solution isfrom about 1:0.5 to about 1:5.
 14. The composition of claim 1, furthercomprising a water-soluble diluent, a disintegrant, a lubricant, ormixtures thereof.
 15. The composition of claim 14, wherein thewater-soluble diluent comprises mannitol.
 16. The method of claim 14,wherein the disintegrant comprises low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the lubricant comprisessodium stearyl fumarate.
 18. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1,which is in the form of a tablet or film.
 19. A method for preparing apharmaceutical composition comprising a solvated cannabinoid in a soliddosage form for sublingual or buccal administration having increasedoral bioavailability and shortened onset of action of the cannabinoid,the method comprising: solvating the cannabinoid in a pharmaceuticallyacceptable solvent to form a solvated cannabinoid; mixing the solvatedcannabinoid with an adsorbent, onto which the solvated cannabinoid isadsorbed; and processing the solvated cannabinoid/adsorbent into a soliddosage form.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the cannabinoidcomprises THC or CBD.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the adsorbentcomprises silica.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the solventcomprises ethanol.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the excipientadded is a lubricant, a water-soluble diluent, a disintegrant, or amixture thereof.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the lubricantcomprises sodium stearyl fumarate.
 25. The method of claim 23, whereinthe water-soluble diluent comprises mannitol.
 26. The method of claim23, wherein the disintegrant comprises low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose.
 27. The method of claim 23, further comprising processing thesolvated cannabinoid/adsorbent composition into a tablet.
 28. A pillpack comprising the cannabinoid composition of claim 1 encased within apackaging enclosure.